Raymond Kosarich

Raymond Kosarich 1934-2007 Beloved and devoted father, husband, and friend Raymond Kosarich, left this world just before sunrise on July 9, 2007 with his family by his side. Ray was born on Nov. 23, 1934 in Pittsburgh, Pa. to Catherine and Francis Kosarich who emigrated to the U.S. from the Ukraine in the 1910s. The youngest of 10 children, Ray grew up in the Wood's Run neighborhood in Pittsburgh playing guitar and mandolin with his family--all self-taught musicians. At age 18 Ray joined the USAF--the start of a 22-year career. His early training in radar technology led him to Colorado where he met his one true love, Rebecca Marie Martinez in 1953. On Sept. 3, 1955 Ray and Becky were married in Pueblo, Colo. and started their wonderful 52 years together. Stationed in Oklahoma, their first child Nancy was born in 1956. The following year a son, Frank, was born in Pittsburgh and their third child, Rick, was born in Florida in 1962. Throughout Ray's military career the Kosarich family lived all over the United States and Europe eventually settling in Boise, Idaho. While Ray had his pick of places to retire, he chose Idaho for its supreme hunting and fishing--two of his favorite pastimes. The family settled down on the Bench in 1974 where they remain today. Life in the Kosarich home has always been full of life, music, and food. Ray was a man who could make a life long friendship on the first meeting. He delighted the house with his fancy fingerwork every night on his guitar--belting out old bluegrass favorites. Ray took the time to teach all of his grandkids a little music, a little Ukraine vocabulary, and a lot of love. The atmosphere in the Kosarich house has always radiated love and acceptance of every person who walks through the door. Raymond Kosarich was a man of honor. His wisdom, strength, and vitality was apparent in everything he did from tender attendance to his outstanding garden to his meticulously beautiful tile mosaics to his unwavering devotion to his family. His playful humor never masked his common sense which was a guiding force in the house. He was a caring, decent man who truly lived life to the fullest with no regrets. His vibrance filled any room and the pride he had for his life and his family was part of his warm presence. Ray never knew a stranger. Ray went peacefully to Heaven to reunite with his son Frank who has been dearly missed by all of us here on Earth since his untimely death in 2000. He will also be with his parents, his sisters Marie and Helen, and his brothers Winnie, Eddie, Bobbie, and Dicky. Ray will also get to meet his brother Alex for the first time. He is survived by his brothers, Harry and Ronnie, his loving wife Becky, his daughter Nancy Derham (husband, Bud) and her children Carlotta and Aren, and his son Rick (wife, Lisa) and his children Andrew (mother, Melissa) and Frances. The things we will all miss about Ray could fill a volume of books. Eyes that twinkled, the slap of a knee after a good joke, stories about packers and mustard and sugar sandwiches. The Louvin Brothers, The Last Picture Show, Judge Judy. Homemade salsa from the garden, perogies, kielbasa with sauerkraut. "Diga mi." Two thumbs up. The Kosarich family would like to thank the caring staff of the fourth floor at St. Luke's Hospital and St. Luke's Hospice. Also we would like to thank all of Ray's medical care providers for their support. In lieu of a memorial, the family asks that any donations be made to Cancer Research. Ray, you will always be deeply loved and missed by all of us.